Winter swimming preparation

“You only need one wild swim a week to acclimatise to the dropping temperatures,” says editor Ella Foote

I started swimming through winter during a particularly challenging time in my life back in my late 20s. As the clocks rolled back, I missed my swimming friends, the routine of regular river swims and the immersion in nature. I had spent the spring before swimming in cooler temperatures while training for a Channel relay and knew I could handle cold water, so I just kept on going to the water throughout autumn, into winter and onwards every year since. Outdoor swimming for me has since been a year-round pleasure and I found a new way to enjoy the cooler, darker seasons. But, unlike many swimmers I meet, I don’t love winter swimming. I merely endure it and use it to find my way through a time of the year I find challenging.

October still offers some warmth and, with our changing climate, you can still get bursts of heat from the sun on clear, calm days. It is a good time to start preparing for winter swimming and reflecting on how you might approach your time in the water. Many swimmers head indoors to keep up distance, stay fit and work on technique. This is a good plan, but there’s no reason you can’t also add in a weekly outdoor dip.

You only really need one swim a week outdoors to keep yourself acclimatised as the temperatures start to dip. Water holds the warmth for longer than the air and the sea will still feel warm, even in December. Rivers and shallow lakes are the first to cool. The best way to become a winter swimmer is to not stop swimming as the seasons change. Commit to a regular day, time and swim-spot. Find some like-minded souls and cold water swimming becomes a joy.

Tips to prepare for winter swimming:

• Plan where you will swim. Conditions for swimming are more challenging in autumn and winter. Wind, rain, air temperature and water quality are big factors at this time of year.
• Swims will be shorter but packing and prepping will take longer – more kit and hot drinks!
• Have some decent kit. Invest in some neoprene accessories sooner rather than later. Often these items sell out quick and won’t restock until next season. A good all-weather coat is just as good as a fancy change robe!
•Find some swim pals; it’s easier to commit to swim plans when there’s somebody else waiting for you at the water’s edge – especially in bleak weather.
• Swim your own swim. Focus on you, your ability and your own experience. Don’t stay in longer or push limits without proper guidance and support.
• Have fun with it – swim in rain, snow, falling leaves, ice and mud. Just be safe and smart.